Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-08


absolutely all that could be found out about
him. He was nobody's child Nobody could
tell whence he came. He hung about the
grocery for two days Mis- Simpkins fed
him. On the third day, she turned from
waiting on Il customer, and caught the dirty
| little hand of this terrible infant thrust
| into the tobacco case. He was stealing her
best ten cent ci%ars. She pounced upon him
| and threw him out of the shop in righteous
| wrath.
"Nou little rprobatc! Ef had the lines
around your neck, l bet ye'd stretch 'eml
Lenmc kitch you in this store agln!"
Tho child ran Off in all haste, and disap-
pcarcd around the corner In spite of Mis-
Smpkins he had distracted one of the cigars.
lie was minded to learn to smoke. He
wandered out into the country. He went q
long way, so as to he sure he was out of the
sight of the village, and the hawk eye of Mrs
Simpkins. Then he lit the cigar, and still
wandered farther and farther. He did not
know where he was going, and did not think
about it, Little Rip put the roll of weed be-
tween his lips, and pulled away bravely,
staggering and taking long steps, as he had
seen young men do. Shortly be began to feel
very bad, but he kept stoutly on, with de-
votion worthy of better cause. The mail
carrier passed by in his blackboard wagon.
Twas the most rediclous sight | ever
seen, said he afterwards "Thar wls the little
cuss lettin' on he wus smokn'. The cigar
had great long ash on it. He clitched it
between bis fingers, jess so, like he'd seen big
fellers do. He was dcsput ashy around the
gills and so sick he staggered, but thar he
cooked his mite of head up and went on, as
bip MS Giueral ,TnckSOnn
But at last there came a moment when
even little Rips giant will gave out. His legs
failed him. He felt sure he was dying, with
that awful feeling in his stomach. He was
only baby after all He crawled to the
roadside and lay down beside huge stone.
He groaned and cried bitterly, as many big
boy would like to do, but doesn't dare, when
he smokes his first cigar
That same afternoon Col Carstone said to
Sam:
Bring out Ulysses. Unjust break that colt.
It's going to be tough job, too. But I'll
give him lesson this afternoon"
The children's pet had grown magnificent
animal He was splendid sorrel, with q
thin, quiverng nostril, an arched neck and a
flashing eye. The colonel eyed him closely as
Sam led him from the stable.
Mrs. Carstone came out with her baby in
her arms to see him mount.
"Take care, Tom, DEAR" said she. "He
looks wicked"
81 never yet saw the animal 1 couldn't
master And IA man who can manage a
horse can always manage woman. They're
much alike. You must pet and master them
at the same time, The man who can do that
is always a very good fellow, too, I've
noticed, eh WIFE"
He patted the horse on the neck.
No. Lys, no, no. You look little ugly,
but Wen soon take that out of you"
The beautiful creature SHE'D and reared,
but Col. Carstone at length got upon his
back, and was off. He was famous horse
man, and an enthusiastic lover of horses OF
the colt Ulysses he had great expectations
The animal had proved unexpectedly hard to
train, however. He behaved right creditably
that afternoon though, and his master took
him farther than he had meant to do be-
You'd the village, on the State Line turnpike
1t was on this road that poor little Rip had
lain down, sick enough to die. He was a
queer sight lying there curled around like a
caterpillar, and making the outlandish,
grooming noise lie was.
The horse saw him and SHE'D desperately
His master spurred him ON. He refused to
bulge forward a step, but turned half around
backwards, and danced with rage and terror.
The boy saw the rearing, plunging horse, and
started to run. This afrrighted the beast
still more. The colonels blood was up
"Stop where you are, you imp of Satan"
he roared at the boy The horse became al
most unmanageable even for his practiced
hand.
"1'll break you of this nonsense, or I'll
break your neck" he said between his teeth.
But he was entirely steady and cool toward
the horse.
Come, Lys," ne said, encouragingly,
'come-on, on" He pressed the spurs into
the creature at the same time.
In three seconds it was over
The animal gave a snort of fury. He
reared perpendicularly in the air, and fell
over backwards The colonel, preserving
still his presence of mind, had barely time to
free his foot. He was flung violently upon
his head into the broken stone of the road.
The horses neck was broken.